Large dams often draw scrutiny for their impacts on the local habitat, from fish stocks to plant life, but they can also disrupt society, rendering traditional livelihoods obsolete in the name of economic development.

The killing of four American special operations soldiers in Niger has highlighted the increasing role elite units are playing across Africa, where their mission is to counter the advances of a slew of jihadist movements, including al-Shabab in Somalia, ISIS affiliates in the Sahel region and Boko Haram in Nigeria.

When the sun goes down, Judge Hamadal Moumine of Niger picks up a guitar and hits the stage with his band, Tal National — sometimes for hours. But he says we shouldn't be surprised by his unique combo of professions.

The Nigerian Islamic extremist group Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the ISIS movement on Saturday. At the same time, a regional coalition of powers is intervening to help Nigeria. The US is taking a back-seat, but is intensifying military training programs and some other forms of assistance.

The kidnapping of more than 250 schoolgirls from their villages in the north of Nigeria has brought international attention to Boco Haram, the military group responsible for the abductions. Negotiating to release the girls, however, will become a delicate balance.

Armed gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped eight more school girls overnight. This comes after the leader of Islamist militant group Boko Haram warned in a video released Monday, that more girls would be taken. Boko Haram has already admitted to abducting more than 200 schools girls three weeks ago. This all takes place on the eve of the World Economic Forum meeting in the capital, Abuja.

The governments of two West African neighbors are in a state of flux. Nigeria's president was hospitalized in November and to the north, Niger underwent a coup. We speak with Robin Cooke, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Bani Walid, in western Libya, is the last holdout of deposed and killed Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. In the revolution that deposed him, Bani Walid never fell to the rebels, and has since openly continued to profess allegiance to the dead dictator. But now, a conflict has erupted between the Libyan government on one side, and Bani Walid leaders.

For our Geo Quiz we were looking for a northern African country that's home to a number nomadic tribes. The answer is Niger. The band Etran Finatawa is from Niger. The band's new album is called 'Tarkat Tajje' or 'Let's Go!'

Mali's split in two, the north controlled by a coalition of separatists and Islamic terrorists, the south governed by a weak, coalition government. Thousands have fled the sharia law implemented in the north, but there's no sign of an imminent resolution to the situation, despite months of talk.